Airport Express and PCs
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- CyBrainX
How would you go about enabling a new PC to connect to an existing Airport network. When I try to install the software from the Airport CD-ROM it tells me to let Windows "manage wireless networks" but it doesn't say how.
I'm lost in Windows, so I couldn't find anywhere on the PC to do this.
Any help?
- karlo0
I have a airport express that I use with my g4 laptop.
My girlfriend got given a pc laptop running xp for christmas.
We spent 25 quid on a wireless dongle, installed the disc and it all work absolutley fine
Does that help??
- CyBrainX0
Well, it's a bit of encouragement, but I'd like to still use my Airport Extreme so I can continue to stream music to my stereo.
I know it can be done because we did it with my girlfriend's old PC.
- ribit0
Its just the same as connecting to any WiFi hotspot... choose the network from the list in Available Networks, enter WEP or WPA key if required etc... (or dont you have WiFi hardware on the PC yet?)
- moook0
I don't think you need to install the Airport software on the PC. As long as you've got a Wi-fi card it should be all good. If you go to Network connections (Start>Network Places>view Network Connections) you shoudl see a wirelless connection there. If you double click on it you should find a checkbox that says something like "let windows manage wireless connections." Then you should be able to find a button that allows you to view wi-fi connections. This shoudl give you a list of wireless conenctions in your area and should list your Airport router. then just type in password etc
- BuddhaHat0
My advice for setting up a wireless network of this type, especially if you're a novice, is to layer the security once you have it connected. It's simple 802.11b/g wireless, so moook was right, you don't need the software.
If you have the drivers for your wireless device installed, you can use the wireless detection built into windows to find the network by its SSID. Once you have a connection, make sure you can log into the Airport. THEN, once you've actually got a real connection, then you can start adding the additional layers of security, MAC filtering, and WEP or WPA (WPA is far better). If you can't get encryption running, at least have MAC filtering. Your data won't be encrypted, but at least no1 else can associate with your router.
- CyBrainX0
The wireless card is apparently functioning. It's a small external device that attaches though USB.
Network connections shows that something isn't connected. I don't know why it thinks that.
- BuddhaHat0
It could well be that the software that you got with your wireless USB device has its own built in. When that happens, the software takes control of the connection, hence Windows can show the wireless connection as not being connected. Try and find this software, normally it has a site survey tool in it for locating SSIDs, and if you can see your airport, you're in business.